Carter's second term

SAN ANTONIO -- Quincy Carter is well aware of the history of the Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks before him: Meredith, Staubach, White and Aikman.

He's ready for his turn.

"I just want to uphold that tradition," Carter said. "I've got a lot of pressure on myself. That helps keep me going."

Carter knows those quarterbacks established themselves as leaders, won games and produced championships. In his second training camp, Carter feels he can make these Cowboys his team and move in the right direction following two straight 5-11 seasons.

Carter talks and walks with confidence. There is a calmness about him, whether facing new offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet, a blitzing defense or questions about whether he deserves this chance.

Last year, Carter was unexpectedly thrust into succeeding three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman midway through training camp. He still was throwing wobbly passes and learning the basics of taking a snap.

After a shaky camp, Carter missed half of last season because of thumb and hamstring injuries. He started the last six games, and the Cowboys went 3-3. His best game was against playoff-bound San Francisco, when he threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-21 win.

"It's like daylight and dark," Jones said. "He's certainly proven that he knows how to make good decisions."

When the Cowboys signed free agent quarterback Chad Hutchinson last winter and gave him a bigger contract than Carter, Jones and coach Dave Campo assured Carter he was their starter.

Hutchinson played four seasons of pro baseball and has not played football since 1997 at Stanford.

Carter remained No. 1 during the offseason as the Cowboys learned Coslet's West Coast-style offense, which features a less-complicated passing scheme than the timing-based system it replaced.

There are more short and medium passes, but there also are deep routes to take advantage of speedsters Joey Galloway and Raghib Ismail. Emmitt Smith also will have plenty of rushing opportunities.

Coslet, who is known for working with young quarterbacks, is excited about Carter.

"He can't prove himself until we start playing games," Coslet said. "He proved himself a couple of times last year but had an injury-plagued season. Let the guy have a chance. He's a good player and could be a really good one."

Carter can pass and run. He has a strong arm and 4.6 speed over 40 yards.

During the first week of camp, Carter made good throws and was accurate on several long passes.

"He knows it's his offense," Galloway said. "He steps in knowing, 'OK, I'm the guy, I'm running the show.' We can see that, we can feel that. It's not like he's a fresh guy coming in trying to lead guys that don't know him. We feel better about him, and he feels better about us."

Yet Carter knows he has to prove himself.

"I want to keep proving myself to these guys, even in years seven or eight when I'm here, knock on wood," Carter said. "You have to just keep that competitive edge, you have to let your guys know you are out here working hard, and that's every day."

Carter has worked hard each day of camp, getting on the field early to throw passes and work on drops, then staying after practice to sign autographs.

He realizes this is his chance to make a name for himself.

"We talked to Quincy from the time he signed here that being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys is in itself different because of who has come before," Campo said. "He has worked hard, and he has the charisma. I think he does understand what that position means."